Lubricant sealed pump, removable filter assembly and compartment for holding filter

Abstract

A removable filter assembly for a lubricant sealed pump for filtering lubricant from fluid discharged by the pump. The filter assembly includes: a filter having an inlet providing fluid communication with an internal filter channel, an outer perimeter of the internal filter channel being surrounded by a filter material; and a tubular mounting assembly. When the filter assembly is mounted in the lubricant-sealed pump, the tubular mounting assembly defines a passage extending from an upper end to a lower end of the tubular mounting assembly with the internal filter passage leading to the passage between the upper end and the lower end.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The field of the present invention relates to lubricant or oil-sealed pumps and, in particular embodiments, to internal components of a lubricant reservoir for such a lubricant-sealed pump. Background Art

[0002] Pumps and, in particular, rotary vane pumps can operate using a lubricant, such as oil, which provides both lubrication and sealing between the rotor and stator of the pump.

[0003] A lubricant reservoir is associated with the pump as a source of lubricant, and lubricant flows from the reservoir to the pump and fluid from the pump is discharged through the reservoir via a mist filter within the reservoir, the mist filter being for removing small droplets of lubricant from the gas to be discharged. Such a lubricant reservoir is typically formed as a single piece from aluminum and generally has compartments for holding the mist filter.

[0004] The filters of such pumps need to be replaced regularly and inserting and removing them can be a cumbersome and laborious task. The filters are installed in an enclosed space and require an effective seal at their entrance to the compartment into which they are installed. In addition, the lubricant in the reservoir of such pumps needs to be replaced regularly and filling the reservoir may require an inlet which may increase the size and complexity of the lubricant reservoir and / or be difficult of access.

[0005] It would be desirable to provide a device for simplifying at least one of inserting and removing the filter and replacing the lubricant in a lubricant-sealed pump. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A first aspect provides a filter assembly for a lubricant-sealed pump, the filter assembly for filtering lubricant from fluid discharged by the pump, the filter assembly comprising:

[0007] a filter including an inlet providing fluid communication with an internal filter passage, the outer perimeter of the internal filter passage being surrounded by filter material; and a tubular mounting assembly; when the filter assembly is installed in the lubricant-sealed pump, the tubular mounting assembly defines a passage extending from an upper end to a lower end of the tubular mounting assembly, and the filter inlet opens into the passage between the upper end and the lower end.

[0008] The discharge filter within the lubricant-sealed pump needs to be replaced, and insertion and removal can be difficult. Additionally, filling of the oil reservoir typically requires a dedicated inlet, which may increase the size of the housing. By providing a filter assembly with a tubular mounting assembly, the filter can be simply installed within an internal compartment of the lubricant-sealed pump by inserting the lower end of the tubular assembly into a corresponding receiving hole within the internal compartment. This serves both as an inlet to the filter assembly and as a support means for mounting the filter assembly. Further, the passageway within the tubular mounting means serves not only as a passage for discharge gas flowing out of the pump during operation, but can also serve as an inlet passage for supplying lubricant to the lubricant reservoir of the pump. In this way, an inlet for supplying lubricant to the pump is provided within the filter assembly, which eliminates the need for an additional dedicated inlet at some other location on the housing.

[0009] In some embodiments, the upper end of the tubular mounting assembly includes means for engaging with a plug.

[0010] During operation of the pump, the upper end of the tubular mounting assembly should be sealed such that discharge gas entering the lower end exits via the filter. However, when the pump is to be filled with lubricant, access to the upper end of the tube is required, and thus, plugging it with a removable plug provides the access and seal as desired.

[0011] The plug can be attached to the filter assembly in a variety of ways, but in some embodiments, the means includes threads for engaging with corresponding threads on the plug. The threads can have a shape configured to be fluid-impermeable.

[0012] In some embodiments, the outer perimeter of the lower end of the tubular mounting assembly includes receiving means for receiving a seal.

[0013] In some embodiments, the receiving means includes a groove.

[0014] The lower end of the tubular mounting assembly can serve as a support means for supporting the filter assembly within the internal compartment of the pump, but it also provides a passage for discharge gas flow to the filter, and thus, providing a seal between the outer perimeter of the tubular assembly and the internal compartment allows discharge gas entering the internal compartment to be directed through the filter.

[0015] In some embodiments, the passageway within the tubular mounting means is substantially perpendicular to the internal filter passageway.

[0016] Although the passageway can be angled, as long as the upper end is above the lower end, a vertical passageway may have advantages when serving as a lubricant filling passageway.

[0017] In some embodiments, the passage within the tubular mounting portion is configured to provide a passage for lubricant from the upper surface of the lubricant reservoir of the lubricant-sealed pump to the lubricant reservoir when installed in the pump.

[0018] In some embodiments, the tubular mounting assembly includes a lubricant deflector device that extends from the inner surface of the passage above the filter inlet and is configured to deflect lubricant flowing in the passage away from the filter inlet from the upper end toward the lower end.

[0019] In the case where the passage in the tubular mounting assembly is for lubricant filling, it is desirable to prevent lubricant from flowing into the filter, and thus some embodiments include a deflector device for deflecting the flow away from the inlet.

[0020] Although the deflector device may have various forms in some embodiments, the deflector device includes a protruding surface that extends from the inner surface of the tubular mounting assembly.

[0021] In some embodiments, the means for holding the plug is in the inner surface of the tubular mounting assembly adjacent to the opening at the upper end, and the tubular mounting assembly includes a flange that extends around the upper end, and the flange includes an area for receiving a sealing device.

[0022] In the case where the means for holding the plug is on the inner surface of the tubular mounting assembly, the plug may extend into the tube. In this case, the tubular mounting assembly may be configured to extend into a cover that covers the lubricant reservoir of the pump, and the tubular mounting device may have a flange to seal to the lower surface of the cover, and the plug will seal to the upper surface of the cover.

[0023] In other embodiments, the means for holding the plug is in the outer surface of the tubular mounting assembly, and the tubular mounting assembly includes a flange below the means for holding the plug, and the flange includes an area for receiving a sealing device.

[0024] In the case where the means for holding the plug is on the outer surface, the tubular mounting assembly may be configured to extend beyond the cover and include a flange below the means for holding, which is configured to seal to the lower surface of the cover. In this case, the plug will have a flange to seal to the upper surface of the cover.

[0025] In either case, as can be understood, the plug is configured to be on the other side of the cover relative to the tubular mounting assembly, and when the cover is no longer fixed to the reservoir, lifting the plug can lift the filter and the cover together, and this can be an effective way to remove the filter without contacting the lubricant.

[0026] In some embodiments, the tubular mounting assembly includes a filter manipulation protrusion that extends from an outer surface of the tubular mounting assembly and is positioned toward the upper end.

[0027] To facilitate manipulation of the filter, it may be advantageous to provide a protrusion near the upper end for the tubular mounting assembly that is easily accessible when installing or removing the filter assembly.

[0028] In some embodiments, the filter manipulation protrusion includes a radially outwardly extending surface on opposite sides of the tubular mounting assembly.

[0029] In some embodiments, the filter manipulation protrusion extends from the flange.

[0030] In some embodiments, the inlet to the filter includes an alignment portion configured to align with an inlet in the internal compartment such that the filter can only be installed in one orientation.

[0031] On the other hand, there is provided an internal compartment of a lubricant reservoir for a lubricant-sealed pump, the lubricant reservoir being configured to mount a filter assembly according to one aspect for filtering lubricant from a fluid to be discharged by the pump; the internal compartment includes a hole in a lower surface, the hole being configured to cooperate with and receive a lower end of the tubular mounting assembly of the filter assembly.

[0032] The tubular mounting assembly is adapted to be installed in a hole in a base of an internal compartment of a lubricant reservoir of a lubricant-sealed pump. This allows for convenient installation by simply placing the lower end of the tubular mounting assembly into the corresponding hole of the lubricant reservoir, and removal is also a simple process.

[0033] In some embodiments, the internal compartment includes guiding means in the lower surface to guide the lower end of the tubular assembly toward the hole when installing the filter in the internal compartment.

[0034] In some embodiments, the guiding means is adjacent to the hole in the lower surface.

[0035] In some embodiments, the hole includes a cylindrical sidewall configured to cooperate with a wall of the lower end of the tubular mounting assembly.

[0036] In some embodiments, the internal compartment includes the filter assembly mounted therein, and an upper side of the internal compartment includes an opening for receiving the filter assembly, and when the tubular mounting assembly is mounted in the hole in the base of the internal compartment, an upper end of the tubular mounting assembly extends at least as far as the opening.

[0037] In another aspect, there is provided a lubricant-sealed pump system, comprising:

[0038] a lubricant-sealed pump configured to pump fluid from an inlet to a discharge; and

[0039] a lubricant reservoir for holding lubricant and for supplying lubricant to and receiving fluid to be discharged from the lubricant-sealed pump during operation of the lubricant-sealed pump; the lubricant reservoir includes an internal compartment according to another aspect.

[0040] In some embodiments, the internal compartment is integral with the lubricant reservoir, while in other embodiments, the internal compartment is separate from the lubricant reservoir. In some embodiments, the internal compartment is made of plastic.

[0041] In some embodiments, the internal compartment includes a filter assembly according to one aspect.

[0042] In some embodiments, the lubricant reservoir includes a cover configured to cover the opening of the internal compartment, the cover includes a hole configured to be aligned with the upper end of the tubular mounting assembly, and the lubricant-sealed pump system includes a plug configured to be attached to the upper end of the tubular mounting assembly.

[0043] The plug is used to seal the passage of the tubular mounting assembly or open it when removed to allow lubricant to be added to the lubricant reservoir via the passage within the tubular mounting assembly.

[0044] In some embodiments, the plug is configured to hold the cover to the filter assembly when attached to the upper end of the tubular mounting assembly.

[0045] The plug is above the cover, and thus, when the plug is in place and the cover is no longer attached to the reservoir, the plug and the cover can be removed together, which will pull the filter out of the internal compartment, thereby allowing it to be disposed of without manipulating the filter.

[0046] In some embodiments, the plug includes a flange configured to match an upper surface of the cover, and the flange includes an area for receiving a seal.

[0047] In some embodiments, the area includes a groove.

[0048] In some embodiments, the lubricant-sealed pump includes a vacuum pump, which in some embodiments is a lubricant-sealed rotary vane vacuum pump.

[0049] Additional specific and preferred aspects are set forth in the appended independent and dependent claims. The features of the dependent claims may, where appropriate, be combined with the features of the independent claims and may be presented in combinations other than those explicitly set forth in the claims.

[0050] Where an apparatus feature is described as being operable to provide a certain function, it will be appreciated that this includes both an apparatus feature that provides that function and an apparatus feature that is adapted or configured to provide that function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] Figure 1 a filter assembly according to an embodiment is shown;

[0053] Figure 2 a filter assembly within an internal compartment of a lubricant reservoir according to an embodiment is shown;

[0054] Figure 3 an alternative embodiment of a filter assembly within an internal compartment of a lubricant reservoir is shown;

[0055] Figure 4 a base surface of an internal compartment of a lubricant reservoir is shown;

[0056] Figure 5 a filter assembly having a deflection device is shown;

[0057] Figure 6 a filter assembly is shown having a deflection device mounted within an internal compartment of a lubricant reservoir and having an upper end protruding above a cover;

[0058] Figure 7 a filter assembly according to an embodiment is shown; and

[0059] Figure 8 an alternative embodiment of a filter assembly within a lubricant reservoir having a deflection device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Before discussing the embodiments in more detail, an overview will first be provided.

[0061] Filling a lubricant-sealed pump with lubricant typically requires a dedicated inlet where the seal of the dedicated inlet itself is located in a dedicated area on the pump. When the filter and the housing are compact, it may be difficult to add a filling location without increasing the size of the housing. The embodiments provide an inlet that allows the pump to be filled through a filtration system without overly increasing the size of the housing.

[0062] Figure 1 A filter assembly 10 for a lubricant-sealed pump according to an embodiment is shown. The filter assembly 10 includes a filter having filter material 12 surrounding an internal filter channel, which in this embodiment extends substantially perpendicular to the channel in the tubular mounting portion 17. When installed in the pump, the filter assembly is configured such that the discharge fluid from the pump flows into an opening in the lower end 18 of the tubular assembly and then flows upward and into the internal filter channel, and thus exits to the discharge through the filter material. The filter material filters at least some lubricant from the discharge fluid.

[0063] The filter portion includes a handle 14 that can be used to hold the filter assembly 10 when removing the filter assembly 10 from the internal compartment of the lubricant reservoir and when inserting the filter assembly 10 into the internal compartment of the lubricant reservoir. The filter assembly 10 includes a tubular mounting portion 17 having an upper end on which a removable plug 16 can be mounted. When lubricant is to be added to the lubricant reservoir, the plug 16 can be removed and the lubricant can be poured into the upper end of the internal channel of the tubular portion such that it flows into the lubricant reservoir via the lower end 18. When the pump is operating, the upper end of the channel is sealed by the plug 16. The lower end 18 leads to the upper end of the lubricant reservoir and receives the discharge gas from the lubricant-sealed pump during operation of the pump. There is a seal 19 that seals to a hole in the base surface of the internal compartment in the lubricant reservoir. When the tubular portion is installed in the internal compartment, the hole receives the lower end of the tubular portion, allowing for convenient installation, and the seal 19 ensures that the filter assembly 10 is sealed within the internal compartment such that the discharge gas entering the filter exits through the filter material 12. The filter material 12 removes at least some lubricant within the discharge gas before the discharge gas is discharged.

[0064] Figure 2 Shown is Figure 1How the filter assembly 10 is installed within the inner compartment 20 of the lubricant reservoir 30. As can be seen, it is installed such that the filter material surrounding the inner filter passage is substantially horizontal and the tubular assembly extends substantially vertically. The lower end of the passage 15 within the tubular assembly has an opening that extends into the lubricant reservoir 30 and receives the exhaust gas. There is a hole 22 in the base of the inner compartment, and the lower portion of the tubular assembly is installed into the hole 22, and in this way, when the filter assembly is inserted into the lubricant reservoir 30, the filter assembly can be "snugged into" the inner compartment. The upper end of the tubular mounting assembly extends through the cover 32 of the lubricant reservoir, and thus, when the plug is removed, lubricant can be added to the lubricant reservoir via this tubular portion. In this way, the tubular mounting portion provides both a mounting assembly for the filter assembly and a means for adding lubricant to the lubricant reservoir, thereby eliminating the need for an additional dedicated inlet.

[0065] Figure 3 An alternative embodiment of the filter assembly installed within the inner compartment is shown, and in this embodiment, the plug 16 is shown attached to the tubular mounting assembly and sealed to the cover 32. As can be understood, when any holding means for holding the cover 32 to the lubricant reservoir is undone, the cover, the plug, and the filter assembly can be removed together. This can be a practical way to remove the filter without having to handle the filter that will be covered in lubricant.

[0066] Figure 4 The base of the inner compartment 20 with the hole 22 is shown, into which the lower portion of the tubular mounting assembly is placed. There is also an exhaust outlet 28, where the oil and the exhaust gas that have passed through the filter material leave the inner compartment, and in the case of the exhaust gas, travel to the exhaust portion in the pump housing, and in the case of the lubricant, travel back to the lubricant reservoir. There are guiding protrusions 26 and 24 that, when the filter is installed within the inner compartment, help guide the filter into place and keep it straight. The guiding protrusion 24 surrounds the inlet and helps guide the tubular mounting assembly into the hole 22, while the guide 26 cooperates with the guiding protrusion on the bottom of the filter member and keeps it straight.

[0067] Figure 5An embodiment is shown in which the passage 15 of the tubular mounting assembly includes a deflector device 11 above the inlet 13 leading to the internal filter passage. The deflector device 11 deflects lubricant away from the inlet 13 leading to the internal filter passage and helps to keep it away from the lubricant. In this embodiment, the deflector device 11 is a recess within the sidewall of the passage 15. In other embodiments, it may be a deflector extending outwardly from the sidewall of the passage, or a radial position offset between upper and lower sections of the tubular mount.

[0068] Figure 6 An alternative embodiment is shown in which the mounting assembly extends above the cover 32 of the lubricant reservoir 30. The outer edge of the upper surface of the tubular assembly includes threads for receiving a plug, and below it there is a flange which has a groove for receiving a sealing device 44 that seals to the bottom of the cover. The plug itself may have a groove in the flange with a sealing device, and thus, when it is screwed onto the upper end of the tubular mounting device, it will seal to the upper side of the cover 32. In this way, the cover will be held between two seals.

[0069] Figure 7 Is shown in more detail Figure 6 the filter assembly, and the threads 40 and the flange 42 having a groove 43 for receiving a seal are shown. There is also a seal 19 in the groove at the lower end 18 of the portion of the tubular mounting assembly surrounding the filter assembly.

[0070] Figure 8 An alternative embodiment is shown in which the threads 40 are within the inner surface of the tubular mounting assembly and, when the plug is inserted, it extends into the tube rather than around the edge. There is a flange 42 which has a groove 43 for receiving a sealing device which, in this embodiment, will seal to the lower surface of the reservoir cover. In this embodiment, the tubular portion includes a narrower portion for guiding added lubricant towards the center of the passage and away from the inlet 13 leading to the internal filter passage, which inlet 13 is located below this narrower portion.

[0071] In summary, a filter assembly is proposed which has a filter interface, which in some embodiments is a tubular portion, said tubular portion allowing the oil housing to be filled through this filter interface and eliminating the need for any additional holes or filling elements.

[0072] Advantages of the embodiment include less material required on the housing, a more compact pump, easy filling of the reservoir, and easy assembly of the filter.

[0073] The filter interface can be perpendicular to the filter, or it can be at a different angle. There may be a deflector or some other separating device to prevent oil from entering the filter during filling.

[0074] The upper end of the interface can be sealed using a plug, which can also be sealed to the lubricant reservoir cover. In addition to sealing the filter interface, the plug can also hold it in place and, if the cover retaining means is undone, the plug can be used to remove the filter and the cover together.

[0075] In summary, a filter with a T-shaped inlet for a filling pump is provided. The interface / tubular portion also provides cooperation with the piston of the filter receiving means, which can be a hole in the base of an internal compartment allowing a plug-and-play type solution. The interface portion being at the end of the filter means that the filter cannot be inserted in the wrong direction.

[0076] Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0077] Reference Signs

[0078] 10 Filter assembly

[0079] 11 Deflection device

[0080] 12 Filter material

[0081] 13 Filter inlet

[0082] 14 Handle

[0083] 15 Channel

[0084] 16 Plug

[0085] 17 Tubular mounting assembly

[0086] 18 Lower opening leading to channel 15

[0087] 19 Seal

[0088] 20 Internal compartment

[0089] 22 Hole in the base of the internal compartment

[0090] 24, 26 Guides

[0091] 28 Filtered oil and gas outlet

[0092] 30 Oil reservoir

[0093] 32 Cover

[0094] 33 Hole in the cover

[0095] 40 Thread

[0096] 42 Flange

[0097] 43 Groove for receiving a seal

[0098] 44 Seal

Claims

1. A filter assembly for a lubricant-sealed pump, for filtering lubricant from the fluid discharged by the pump, the filter assembly comprising: A filter including an inlet providing fluid communication with an internal filter passage, the outer perimeter of the internal filter passage being surrounded by filter material; And A tubular mounting assembly; When the filter assembly is installed in the lubricant-sealed pump, the tubular mounting assembly defines a passage extending from an upper end to a lower end of the tubular mounting assembly, and the filter inlet leads to the passage between the upper end and the lower end.

2. The filter assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The upper end of the tubular mounting assembly includes means for engaging with a plug.

3. The filter assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The means includes threads for engaging with corresponding threads on the plug.

4. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The outer perimeter of the lower end of the tubular mounting assembly includes receiving means for receiving a seal.

5. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The passage within the tubular mounting assembly is substantially perpendicular to the internal filter passage.

6. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The passage within the tubular mounting portion is configured to provide a passage for lubricant from the upper surface of the lubricant reservoir of the lubricant-sealed pump to the lubricant reservoir.

7. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tubular mounting assembly includes a lubricant deflection device extending from the inner surface of the passage above the filter inlet and configured to deflect lubricant flowing in the passage away from the filter inlet from the upper end towards the lower end.

8. The filter assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The lubricant deflection device includes a projecting surface extending from the inner surface of the tubular mounting assembly.

9. The filter assembly according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 8 when dependent on claim 2, wherein, The means for holding the plug is in the inner surface of the tubular mounting assembly adjacent to the opening at the upper end, and the tubular mounting assembly includes a flange extending around the upper end, the flange including an area for receiving a sealing device.

10. The filter assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 8 when dependent on claim 2 or claim 2, wherein, The means for holding the plug is in the outer surface of the tubular mounting assembly, and the tubular mounting assembly includes a flange below the means for holding the plug, the flange including an area for receiving a sealing device.

11. The filter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tubular mounting assembly includes a filter manipulation projection extending from the outer surface of the tubular mounting assembly and positioned towards the upper end.

12. The filter assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The filter manipulation projection includes radially outwardly extending surfaces on opposite sides of the tubular mounting assembly.

13. The filter assembly according to claim 11 or 12 when dependent on claim 9 or 10, wherein The filter manipulation projection projects from the flange.

14. An internal compartment of a lubricant reservoir for a lubricant-sealed pump, the lubricant reservoir being configured to mount the filter assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for filtering lubricant from the fluid to be discharged by the pump; The internal compartment includes a hole in the lower surface configured to cooperate with and receive the lower end of the tubular mounting assembly of the filter assembly.

15. The internal compartment according to claim 14, the internal compartment including guiding means in the lower surface for guiding the lower end of the tubular assembly towards the hole when installing the filter in the internal compartment.

16. The internal compartment according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, The hole includes a cylindrical sidewall configured to cooperate with the wall of the lower end of the tubular mounting assembly.

17. The internal compartment according to any one of claims 14 to 16 and the filter assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13 installed therein, wherein, The upper side of the inner compartment includes an opening for receiving the filter assembly, and when the tubular mounting assembly is installed in the inner compartment, the upper end of the tubular mounting assembly extends at least as far as the opening.

18. A lubricant-sealed pump system comprising: a lubricant-sealed pump configured to pump fluid from an inlet to a discharge; and a lubricant reservoir for holding lubricant and for supplying lubricant to and receiving fluid to be discharged from the lubricant-sealed pump during operation of the lubricant-sealed pump; the lubricant reservoir includes an inner compartment according to any one of claims 14 to 17.

19. The lubricant-sealed pump system according to claim 18, wherein, The inner compartment includes the inner compartment of claim 17, and the lubricant reservoir includes a cover configured to cover the opening of the inner compartment, the cover including a hole configured to be aligned with the upper end of the tubular mounting assembly, and the lubricant-sealed pump system includes a plug configured to be attached to the upper end of the tubular mounting assembly.

20. The lubricant-sealed pump according to claim 19, wherein, The plug is configured to hold the cover to the filter assembly when attached to the upper end of the tubular mounting assembly.

21. The lubricant-sealed pump according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, The plug includes a flange configured to match the upper surface of the cover, the flange including an area for receiving a seal.

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